Brand new web browser to be released today

[drw]

Just announced: Google Chrome. After reading the comic book they published to explain the browser, I'm pretty excited about this new browser.

It is supposed to be available for download early this afternoon. Unfortunately, we Linux and you MacOS users have to wait a little bit; it's Windows only for now, but they are developing versions for the rest of us.

This browser looks like it's going to be a massive improvement over all other browsers, and it's open source!

(Edited the post to fix a broken link)

[WarHawk-AVG]

Too bad they didn't work with Firefox on this one...then there would be NO reason to use IE

[drw]

I think the problems with Firefox (and with IE) are fundamental. A major goal of Google Chrome seems to be to start completely from scratch, addressing all the new problems and features that have come up over the last 10 years.

I was expecting them to work with Firefox and was surprised when they chose Webkit over Gecko. I'm not sure that was a bad move, but I'm not educated enough on Webkit to say for certain.

[drw]

Well, it was released and I'm using it to make this post. I have to say, it's pretty snazzy (and FAST!)

So far, I'm pleased. My only complaint is that I have to use my Windows laptop since it's the only Windows machine I have.

[Zero_G]

I had it up an running withing 5 min of the site coming live (http://www.google.com/chrome. It sucked in the settings from Firefox - very painless. I loved the comic book explaining Chrome's development (http://www.google.com/googlebooks/chrome/index.html).

Issues so far: it lacks Firefox's addin to block ads; The National Weather Service radar loops won't run (their server doesn't think Chrome has the right version of Java). I'm also noticing some lag in typing on this board.

I'm going to put it through the paces over the next several days. Enjoy!

Keith

[drw]

Issues so far: it lacks Firefox's addin to block ads; The National Weather Service radar loops won't run (their server doesn't think Chrome has the right version of Java).

I had those exact two issues, as well, and in that order, too. Hopefully there is support for extensions so the adblock people can port their work over to this browser.

As for the NWS, I use wunderground.com for their superior doppler, which is not java based.

[Liberty]

Alas it won't run on this machine either. The rumor mill does state that it will be available for Apples and Penguins.

Its fast and promises to be rock solid. There is no menu but you can do it all with the the 2 little icons on the right. I had some problems getting into sites that had logins.

This thing really has some promise. But It has a ways to go before it becomes my default browser. The code itself could be a huge gift for the open source comunity, and likely is going to result in other better browsers.

[drw]

I've been using it all evening with no problems at all - very nice. I'm really anticipating a Linux release for us penguinistas.

I'm also looking for a site that's using the news Gears API.

[particle]

I've been using it as well. Seems pretty nice - haven't tested it with sites that required IE (Quickbooks Online Edition, banking software, etc). One thing I learned this morning - it has a "New incognito window" option to launch a new browser window that won't record any information from your browsing history. This includes auto complete being disabled in that new window, so when I access the Texas DPS site to track my CHL application status, the browser doesn't remember my driver's license number, and my social insecurity number. Since I usually track my status on my company's computer, that's a very nice feature for privacy.

[KBCraig]

One thing I learned this morning - it has a "New incognito window" option to launch a new browser window that won't record any information from your browsing history.

More important, it won't record any information to your browsing history. Anything that happens inside that window is forgotten as soon as the window closes.

[particle]

...that won't record any information from your browsing history.

More important, it won't record any information to your browsing history.

Thanks, I should have said "from your browsing session", not "history".

[John]

I've been using it as well. Seems pretty nice - haven't tested it with sites that required IE (Quickbooks Online Edition, banking software, etc).

Particle... It does NOT work with Quickbooks Online Edition. Also, i use a google "Start" page and one of the Google Gadgets doesn't work. It's the one that syncs with Microsoft Outlook. Hope they get that one working.

Otherwise, i really like larger size window. Took a while to figure out how to show a "home" button in the tool bar. -John